Simple pressure seal units and methods

A method of handling a business form having patterns of pressure activated cohesive, using first and second fold rollers, and first, second and third pressure-seal rollers, first and second fold plates, and a holding device above the first and second pressure-seal rollers, comprising substantially automatically:

• (a) feeding a business form having patterns of pressure activated cohesive between the first and second fold rollers and into the first fold plate, to introduce a first fold therein;
• (b) feeding the form from the first fold plate to between the first fold roller and the third pressure-seal roller and then to the second fold plate to introduce a second fold therein;
• (c) feeding the form from the second fold plate to between the third and first pressure-seal rollers to effect activation of pressure activated cohesive on the form, and to the holding device above the first and second pressure-seal rollers;
• and
• (d) feeding the form from the holding device to between the first and second pressure-seal rollers to effect activation of pressure activated cohesive on the form so that the form is held in folded condition.

A method of handling a business form having patterns of pressure activated cohesive, using first and second pressure-seal rollers defining a nip therebetween, and a holding device above the nip between the first and second pressure-seal rollers, comprising substantially automatically:

• (a) feeding a folded business form having patterns of pressure activated cohesive from a folder into the nip from below the nip;
• (b) driving one or both of the pressure-seal rollers to move the form up through the nip into the holding device while activating pressure activated cohesive on the form;
• and
• (c) after the form has passed completely through the nip, reversing the direction of rotation of the pressure-seal rollers to move the form downwardly through the nip to effect activation of pressure activated cohesive on the form so that the form is held in folded condition.

A method of handling a business form having patterns of pressure activated cohesive, using first and second pressure-seal rollers rotatable about substantially vertical axes and defining a nip therebetween, and a holding device on a second side of the nip opposite a first side, comprising substantially automatically:

• (a) feeding a folded business form having patterns of pressure activated cohesive to a first position on the first side of the nip;
• (b) moving the form substantially horizontally into the nip;
• (c) driving one or both of the pressure-seal rollers to move the form substantially horizontally through the nip into contact with the holding device while activating pressure activated cohesive on the form;
• and
• (d) after the form has passed completely through the nip, reversing the direction of rotation of the pressure-seal rollers to move the form back toward the first side of the nip through the nip to effect activation of pressure activated cohesive on the form so that the form is held in folded condition.

A pressure sealing apparatus comprising:

• pressure-seal rollers consisting essentially of first and second pressure-seal rollers rotatable about substantially parallel first and second axes of rotation, respectively, and in operative association with each other so as to define a first nip;
• and a third pressure-seal roller rotatable about a third axis of rotation substantially parallel to said first and second axes of rotation, and in operative association with said first roller so as to define a second nip;
• wherein said pressure-seal rollers are positioned with respect to each other so that imaginary lines passing through said axes of rotation thereof have substantially an L-shape;
• holding means located above said first nip for holding a folded sheet;
• and
• drive means for driving at least one of said rollers to effect movement of a folded sheet through said nips.